Bomb jokes? They’d cost you 5 years in jail

ZAMBOANGA CITY — “Refrain from making and spreading through text messages bomb jokes as this can jailed them for five years and a fine of about 40,000,” Zamboanga City 1st District Rep. Celso Lobregat said after noting that some bomb scare text messages have circulated the city in the days after the September 3 bombing in Davao City.

Lobregat said that violators of Presidential Decree No. 1727 will be arrested and jailed for five years and fine of about P40,000 for making such joke that may lead the public to be scared and confused.

He said that the public should take this issue seriously and should be responsible enough to tell their families and friends not to make fun with this “bomb joke or bomb scare” in any manner for that matter.

He said the city is presently under threat, due to the ongoing military offensive of the government against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the province of Basilan and Sulu and making such joke at this time is “uncalled for.”

Zamboanga City is vulnerable to terror attacks due to its proximity to Sulu and Basilan province and it is for this reason that Lobregat is also urging the police and military leadership here to be on heighten alert in order to protect the city and the innocent civilians from possible acts of terror.

“I am also calling on all Zamboangeños to increase vigilance, avoid crowded places and be suspicious at all times. Report to the authorities any suspicious baggage and individuals,” he said.